For Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

February 3rd, 2011

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side

It's THURSDAY!

The Chinese New Year

The new year is by far the most important festival of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the second new Moon after the winter solstice. The holiday is a time of renewal, with debts cleared, new clothes bought, shops and homes decorated, and families gathered for a reunion dinner. Chinese New Year is marked by fireworks, traditional lion dances, gift giving, and special foods.

THINKING

True love is not the hapless desire to possess the cherished object of one’s fervent affection. True love is the disciplined generosity we require of ourselves for the sake of another when we would rather be selfish.

Stephen Carter

Today: Think about what you can do to create an environment of love

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

It's National Carrot Cake Day

Carrot cake goes way back, to a time when sugar was nearly unheard of and carrots actually were used as a sweetener in baking! A coarse, moist dessert cake, you can boost a carrot cake's sweetness factor by topping it with cream cheese frosting or white sugar icing

Pineapple Carrot Bundt Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sifted cake flour
1 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons water
2 cups firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 can (8 ounce size) crushed pineapple, in its own juice
3 cups packed finely grated carrots
powdered sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, with rack in middle of oven. Spray-grease and flour 12 cup Bundt pan.

Sift together 3 flours, spices, baking soda and salt. Stir in raisins and nuts. Set aside.

Place oil, water and brown sugar in large mixing bowl. Beat 1 minute on medium speed. Beat in egg. On low, beat in pineapple with its juice and carrots. On low, or by hand, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, mixing just until flour is incorporated. Batter will be fairly thick.

Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake 60 to 70 minutes, until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Remove cake to a rack and cool completely.

Invert cake onto serving platter and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. This cake should be made at least 1 day ahead. Wrap in foil and store at room temperature. May also be frozen for up to 3 months.

PRAYERS

Lord, there are times when we are so concerned

about ourselves that we don’t think of others.

We ask for the gift of your Spirit that we may grow in awareness

of others:

Noticing when someone is unhappy,

Sensing when there’s something

wrong for somebody,

Seeing when someone feels cut off

or isolated,

Knowing when to say the right word,

Expressing thanks and compliments,

Being thoughtful when someone is ill,

Giving words of encouragement,

Helping someone to feel welcome,

Realizing when someone needs the

opportunity to talk.

May we grow in sensitivity

towards others

Amen

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU!

AROUND HOME

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

Vincent van Gogh

Every day is something new and different here at my house. I have so many things I want to do. I've been busy with making more of my friendship shawls and that alone will go on for a good while. I also have the basement and the attic to work on. That is not very much fun though, so I've not spent much time at all there. I really want to get into my craft room and start on painting some things for Easter gifts. Time flies when you are having fun. Easter Sunday will be April 24th this year and our family celebration on the 23rd. By then Spring will be here. That is a nice thought!

Another thing I've been working on this year is memorizing Scripture verses and the one for February 1st is

Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:12-13

COUNTING THE DAYS

Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love

Mother Teresa

45 DAYS UNTIL SPRING!

74 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma